Champions crowned as Mazda Racing Series call season early

The brakes have been put on the 2020 Mazda Racing Series, with organisers cancelling the final two rounds set for Hampton Downs and Taupo meaning the current points table has determined the final placings. 

Committee spokesperson Steve Spear said racing was highly unlikely under the current lockdown rules.

“As a committee we decided we had enjoyed a strong season and it was time to be realistic, crown our champions and look forward to a full season in 2020-2021,” Spear said.

“We’re disappointed to miss running at Hampton Downs and Taupo to close our season off, but we’re not complaining because everyone understands where we are at as a country. Driving out COVID-19 is the only priority.”

The series runs three cups – the RX8 Cup, RX7 Cup – which are both incorporated into the North Island Championship and New Zealand Championship, and the MX5 Cup which stands as a North Island series only.

After a one-year absence, Roger Beuvink (main image) roared back to claim first place in the North Island Championship RX8 Cup, edging Nigel Edger by a solitary point with Simon Baker a further 33 points adrift in third place overall.

Keith Wilkinson passed that trio to claim overall honours in the New Zealand Championship RX8 Cup, for the second year in a row. Edger was again runner-up and Baker rounded out his best season with another third place showing.

In the RX7 Cup North Island Championship standings Rowan Shepherd pipped Alex Corpe by a slim seven points with Tim Forster and Brad McDonald third equal overall.

Shepherd was also triumphant in the New Zealand Championship RX7 Cup with Forster second and Corpe third.

The MX5 cup was dominated by Mark Smith who concluded a strong year 57 points clear of Jeremy Hoskins.

Despite a truncated season, 2019/20 proved to be one of the series’ most successful to date, with upwards of 30 cars on the starting grid across most classes.

And Spear is adamant that this momentum will continue heading into next summer.

“Growth has been phenomenal,” he said.

“Most drivers are back for the 2020-2021 season and at least six other cars are being built as well. This bodes well for the future of the series, which we believe is the fastest growing class in New Zealand.”